Lost Hot Rods by Pat Ganahl 2010 - The Graffiti Impala

I first heard about this book from Mike Famalette. He told me how he had talked to Pat Ganahl for his book. As soon as I hung up the phone I was online placing my pre-order.

Mike's story of buying the "Super Fine Machine"  Is a great one. But... By Graffiti standards it is almost to boring. There is not any drama. There was one car. Mike bought it from Henry Travers' yard. He still owns the car.

Most of the car remains as it was on the set, down to the same air in the rear tires. I tease Mike about selling that air. Mike has all of the original parts for the car. Besides being the most original Mike's is also the most documented of the main four cars.

As much as I like the Impala I was really hoping that Pat would track down all of the cars from American Graffiti. Hey Pat how about covering those in the next book? (call me)

This is a must own book for any Hot Rodder. So get out there and get yourself a copy and read about the rest of the cars Pat has found. Jeff

Northern Reach Summer 2010 - American Graffiti Father/Daughter Style

Bonus Section

Some of Mike's personal pictures of the American Graffiti 1958 Chevrolet Impala.

Mike doesn't keep Bolanders 58 Chevy hidden away from the public. He is a regular on the car show circuit in the upper left hand side of the country. Often appearing with Stars from American Graffiti and even some of the other original movie cars. So watch for the 58 at your next car show or cruise night.

You probably won't find Toad's "Superfine Machine" too far away from a dead on copy of the 1951 Mercury Low Rider that the Pharaohs drove in the movie. Glenn Shimmen of All Rods and Custom built the chopped 51 Merc at his Colville Washington shop complete with parts right out of his A to Z Auto Parts yard also located in Colville Washington. Glen pulled out all the stops on his tribute build. He was even lucky enough to get some help from a few of the people who built the original custom for the 1973 film. The Yellow 1930 Model A is owned by Bonnie Corson. I hear you can't stump Bonnie with a Graffiti question.

Mike and Glenn have recently turned the dynamic duo in to a quartet adding Mike Acheson's Milner Coupe replica and Ken Crawford's Graffiti inspired 1922 T-Bucket to this summers mix. The crew will be at a benefit show for Cancer Patient Care of North Washington and Idaho on Labor Day weekend at Newport City Park in Newport WA. For more info check out BobsCarShow.com

Jeff

"Why The Hell They Bother"

"You been number one as long as I can remember"
It's been along time ain't it?

Thanks for all of your kind letters and Your suggestions about the site. I am listening. So per all of your requests I figured it's about time I get my act in gear. My American Graffiti collection continues to grow. I have now updated my computer system and software so the posts should be clearer and easier to read than ever. I will try to keep new weekly posts while rescanning all of my older posts to a higher quality with image correcting software. So the scans may look even better than the originals. This site is all mine. All posts are pieces from my personal collection. The bulk of my collection consists of books and magazines but since so many have asked I will occasionally post some of my other American Graffiti Collectibles
Jeff